Villa blitz Blues in second city sizzler

Last updated : 20 April 2008 By Tom Vickers

Villa stunned Blues with an imperious display at Villa Park leaving Alex McLeish's men looking doomed.
John Carew and Ashley Young were in fine fettle as they both grabbed a brace and Gabby Agbonlahor completed the drubbing.
The ever irksome Mikael Forssell did manage to score a consolation with the score at 4-0 but by that time most of the dejected Blues fans had vacated the stadium.
The Claret and Blue came into the match on the back of two games which had seen them thrash Bolton and Derby, scoring a total of 10 goals without reply.
The confidence gained from those fantastic displays was not particularly evident in the first ten minutes but it soon came to the fore.
The game ignited after John Carew flicked a header just wide from a corner.
Gareth Barry soon went close with a sliced shot and after a great spell of pressure Villa finally found the net.
Olof Mellberg who is most renowned for his defensive qualities sliced the ball into the path of Ashley Young who fizzed a half volley past a despairing Taylor.
Young was roaming in his free role and he evaded the Blues back line to arrow in the shot from the edge of the box.

Passion

The floodgates were set to open and they did.
Young was again involved as he sent in a superb curling delivery for big John Carew to guide home.
Carew celebrated with huge emotion in front of the Holte End and beat his chest to illustrate his personal derby day passion.
The Blues fans were looking as flat as their team's back four and both were left dejected as Villa appeared to enter Carew's control.
The break was welcomed by the Blues players as they trudged off amid a back-drop of cheers from the Villa faithful.
The atmosphere was raucous and it was to grow even more intense as Villa went further ahead after half time.
The interval didn't help the Blues improve and John Carew was able to score an easy third for the home side.
Ashley Young was again involved as he knocked a nice ball to Gareth Barry who held off pantomime Villan Liam Ridgewell before laying the ball on a plate for Carew.
The big Norwegian was enjoying an obvious reinvigoration after so many niggling injuries prevented him from finding the form he showed early on in his Villa career.
Young was equally impressive in front of Fabio Capello and he continued to destroy City with a fourth goal.

It was all his own work as he cut inside two bemused Blues defenders and fired straight at Maik Taylor.
But, the Northern Irish keeper could only parry and Young made no mistake with the follow up.
Taylor looked distraught and bamboozled as he lay in the goal mouth. It was now embarrassing.

Outclassed

Mikael Forssell was soon introduced and claimed a neat consolation, but Gabby Agbonlahor struck past the hapless Taylor to make it five.
It was Agbonlahor's third goal in as many games and his return to form could be crucial in the chase for fifth spot.
Villa had bossed the game from start to finish and the performance was so strong that it will take the Blues time to recover.
Unfortunately for Alex McLeish time is of the essence as they fight for relegation.
The meek performance of the away side was reminiscent of Villa in past occasions against Blues when they were out muscled and outclassed.
But it seems Villa have learnt how to play their closest rivals and the team has certainly gained physical and mental strength.
It's now four wins from the last four games against the Blues and Villa are looking impressive in the hunt for Europe.
Everton must now be looking over their shoulders as the Claret and Blue travel to Merseyside next Sunday.